Why Study Early Childhood Education?

Why Study Early Childhood Education? 

Early Childhood Education professionals facilitate the intellectual and emotional development of young children by providing critical learning supports to help children and families thrive. Individuals in the field of Early Childhood Education hold a variety of titles and roles that may include: kindergarten teacher, preschool teacher, Head Start director, parent educator, early interventionist, or childcare consultant. 

Emphasizing child-centered, developmentally-effective, and culturally sensitive practices, the programs at NPC provide students the essential skills they need to be effective early childhood professionals. NPC’s Early Childhood programs prepare students to work in a variety of educational environments such as public and private schools, Head Start programs, preschools, libraries, health programs, and other community settings that work with, or on behalf of, young children. Each of NPC’s Early Childhood programs provides a comprehensive set of knowledge and competencies aligned with state and national standards for early childhood professional preparation. Through the combination of general and specialized areas of early childhood, NPC’s programs enable students to become outstanding educators, effective decision-makers, knowledgeable advocates, and intellectual and ethical leaders.

NPC students interested in Early Childhood Education have three pathways available to them (one Bachelor’s Degree and Two Associate Degrees). Depending on your goals, choose from either the Associate of Arts in Early Childhood (AAEC) or the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Studies. Students who wish to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree may then choose to continue on to the Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education (BAS-ECE). 

The AAEC is fully stackable to the BAS-ECE at NPC, providing students with a pathway to teacher certification in PreK-3rd grade. The AAEC also includes the AGEC Requirements  for ease of transfer to a state university in Arizona.

The AAS in Early Childhood Studies is an appropriate option for individuals interested in pursuing a career working directly with, or on behalf of, young children and who are unsure if they want to attain teacher certification and/or endorsement through an educator preparation program. Examples of some of the early childhood professions and organizations that do not require teacher certification include: Head Start, home visitation programs (e.g. FACES, Healthy Families America, etc.), parent education programs, early intervention and others. The AAS degree does not supply the AGEC (see page 65) requirements for university transfer to a BA or BS degree, but transfers smoothly for those in pursuit of a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree where offered, including the BAS-ECE at NPC.

See your academic advisor to design an educational pathway that meets your educational and career goals if you wish to attain a BAS degree.

Degree Requirements

All certificates and degrees offered through the Early Childhood Department require a “C” or better in all courses within the chosen program of study. The certificate programs that lead to the AAS degree also require a “C” or better in all courses within the chosen program of study.

Some courses have placement requirements or prerequisites that may result in coursework beyond 64 credits for Associate Degrees and 120 credits for Bachelor’s Degrees. These courses, too, require a grade of “C” or better. For information about prerequisites, check with your NPC academic advisor.

Much of the Early Childhood coursework in the program is practicum-based. Students conduct assignments and receive observation at an early childhood location in or near where students work or volunteer. 

Students in this program are required to complete 16-32 hours of practicum for each Early Childhood course for which a practicum is a requirement. A current Identity Verified Prints (IVP) card with Level 1 clearance is required by practicum sites where students work or volunteer. Prior to enrolling in Early Childhood courses, you must provide proof of current IVP card with Level 1 clearance. If you need assistance accessing fingerprint clearance, or you do not have access to an early childhood practicum setting, contact the Educator Preparation Programs Department before registering for classes.

Need help paying for classes?

The state of Arizona believes strongly in a highly qualified early childhood workforce. As such, there are state-funded programs that offer full tuition, fees, and textbook scholarships for individuals pursuing an Associate degree (AAEC or AAS) in Early Childhood. These scholarships also come with significant cash incentives for reaching educational milestones. See the Educator Preparation Programs Advisor for details. Early Childhood degree seekers are also eligible for the Claude M. Endfield Scholarship offered through NPC’s Friends and Family Foundation. To apply, search scholarships at npc.edu. Additionally, many students can qualify for financial aid if they take the time to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at studentaid.gov.